Bacteria–phage coevolution as a driver of ecological and evolutionary processes in microbial communities

Bacteria-phage coevolution, the reciprocal evolution between bacterial hosts and the phages that infect them, is an important driver of ecological and evolutionary processes in microbial communities. There is growing evidence from both laboratory and natural populations that coevolution can maintain phenotypic and genetic diversity, increase the rate of bacterial and phage evolution and divergence, affect community structure, and shape the evolution of ecologically relevant bacterial traits. Although the study of bacteria-phage coevolution is still in its infancy, with open questions regarding the specificity of the interaction, the gene networks of coevolving partners, and the relative importance of the…

• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Awards: NE/H005080/1, NE/K00879X/1
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/K00879X/1, NE/H005080/1, R16150